ABSTRACT. This article discusses how theoretical and practical knowledge is integrated in higher education. With the point of departure in an interactive research approach we have worked with the formalizing of knowledge exchange and with common knowledge development. The overall purpose of the research project was to describe and analyze a learning process where both practicable and theoretically anchored knowledge is in the forefront. By following the education in a social-science programme, a model for sustainable learning was developed. In the centre of the model is a learning process for the integration of theory and practice where the intended learning outcomes, general skills, course literature and time constitute the established framework. Different forms of interaction and workplace-related studies became mediating tools, that is, they created opportunities for learning departing from dialogue, questioning, reflection and analysis.